Usher Channels Michael Jackson for 'Love Never Felt So Good' Preview

Billy Johnson Jr.

Senior Editor

Yahoo Music•May 2, 2014

After hearing a two-minute clip of a "new" Michael Jackson song, "Love Never Felt So Good," during the iHeartRadio Awards Thursday night, fans have more reason to anticipate the King of Pop's posthumous album, "Xscape," due May 13 on Epic Records.

At the awards, one of Michael Jackson's logical successors, R&B star Usher, channeled Jackson during the song's preview, dancing across the stage, moonwalking, and even hopping on a table to spin. Dancers dressed like Jackson also mimicked the singer's signature moves, capturing the late legend's energy in front of digital backdrops flashing graffiti and brick walls.

Written by Jackson and Paul Anka in 1983 and produced by John McClain, "Love Never Felt So Good" is a downtempo, roller-rink-ready disco track reminiscent of classic cuts like "Rock With You" from Jackson's 1979 album "Off the Wall." The first official single from "Xscape," "Love Never Felt So Good" goes on sale at 12:01 ET Friday on all digital service providers. A bonus version of the song, teaming Jackson and Justin Timberlake, will be available individually as well as on the deluxe version of "Xscape."

"Xscape" includes eight songs Jackson recorded between 1983 and 1999. Timbaland, the album's lead producer, is joined by contributions from big-name producers Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Jermone "Jroc" Harmon, and McClain. In his introduction of "Love Never Felt So Good," L.A. Reid, chairman and CEO of Epic Records, said he was "instantly reminded that Michael Jackson is the greatest" when reviewing the icon's vault of unreleased material.

Jackson's first posthumous album, "Michael," was released in 2010 and featured production from McClain, Akon, Teddy Riley, Lenny Kravitz, and C. "Tricky" Stewart, among others.